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SUNO takes on Stillman in Quarterfinals

SUNO takes on Stillman in Quarterfinals
Recap Box Score
February 25, 2026
01 — THE MATCHUP

The Matchup

Southern University at New Orleans heads into the 2026 HOPE Credit Union HBCUAC Championship quarterfinals as the underdog — and that's exactly how they like it. After clawing their way to a 14-13 overall record and an 8-4 mark in conference play, the Knights are a battle-tested squad that has faced adversity all season long.

Standing in their way is Stillman College, a confident Tiger squad riding an 18-9 record and a dominant 10-2 conference finish. On paper, Stillman has the edge in record, scoring margin, and ball security. But SUNO owns real advantages in rebounding, shot-blocking, and assists per game that could swing a tournament environment. This is exactly the kind of February matchup that rewards toughness and punishes complacency.

02 — BY THE NUMBERS

By the Numbers

Bold values indicate the team with the statistical edge in each category.

SUNO

STAT

STILLMAN

78.3

Points Per Game

72.9

.456

FG%

.466

.311

3-Point FG%

.296

.644

Free Throw%

.663

41.3

Rebounds/Game

36.2

17.9

Assists/Game

10.4

17.2

Turnovers/Game

11.9

9.1

Steals/Game

7.7

4.8

Blocks/Game

3.3

−0.6

Scoring Margin

+2.9

 

The glaring disparity in assists — SUNO at 17.9 versus Stillman's 10.4 — suggests the Knights are one of the more ball-movement-oriented teams in the conference. That unselfishness, combined with a commanding rebounding advantage of +5.1 per game and nearly two extra blocks per game, gives SUNO a clear path to winning the interior battle. The key challenge: SUNO must protect the ball far better than their 17.2 turnovers-per-game average suggests they have been.

03 — PLAYERS TO WATCH

Players to Watch

 

#1  J. HICKS

16.0 PPG | 6.8 RPG | 84 AST

SUNO's leading scorer in points per game is the engine of the Knights' offense. His 16 points per game and 84 season assists underscore how central he is to everything New Orleans does. Stillman must account for him on every possession.

#15  D. BOOKER

14.9 PPG | 7.7 RPG | 60.4 FG%

The most efficient scorer on the roster. Booker's .604 field goal percentage is elite at any level. If he gets comfortable inside and Stillman has no answer, this game could get out of hand quickly.

 

#4  J. LAWRENCE

9.4 PPG | 7.8 RPG | 30 BLK (11 gms)

In just 11 games, Lawrence has racked up 30 blocks — a monstrous interior presence. His per-game impact rivals the best shot-blockers in the HBCU landscape and could be the difference in a close game.

#9  C. WILLIAMS

8.0 PPG | 36 three-pointers | .400 3PT%

If SUNO needs a spark from beyond the arc, Williams is the answer. Knocking down 40% of his threes on the season, he is a legitimate spacing threat that forces Stillman's defense to respect the perimeter.

 

04 — KEYS TO A SUNO VICTORY

Keys to a SUNO Victory

 

1. WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE

This is the single biggest obstacle between SUNO and an upset. The Knights average 17.2 turnovers per game compared to Stillman's 11.9 — a gap of more than five possessions. Against a disciplined Tiger defense that forces 12.8 opponent turnovers, SUNO cannot afford to be sloppy. Clean possessions, simple decision-making, and protecting the ball on the press will be critical.

2. DOMINATE THE GLASS

SUNO's +5.1 rebounding advantage over Stillman is the most glaring statistical edge the Knights carry into this game. Crashing the offensive boards, converting second-chance points, and denying Stillman clean defensive rebounds can manufacture extra possessions and keep the score manageable — especially if the Knights struggle from the field early.

3. USE THE BALL-MOVEMENT ADVANTAGE

With 17.9 assists per game, SUNO is a team built on unselfishness. Stillman's offense is far more individualistic at 10.4 assists per game. If the Knights push the pace, make the extra pass, and find Booker and Lawrence in rhythm early, they can expose a Tiger defense not accustomed to that level of ball movement.

4. ACTIVATE LAWRENCE AS A DEFENSIVE ANCHOR

Thirty blocks in eleven games is not a typo. J. Lawrence is one of the most disruptive interior defenders in this tournament field. Getting him into foul trouble early would be a massive win for Stillman — so SUNO must protect him with smart positioning. If Lawrence stays on the floor, he fundamentally changes what Stillman can do in the paint.

5. GET TO THE FREE THROW LINE

SUNO allows Stillman a significant free throw advantage on paper. The Knights need to draw contact, force Stillman into foul trouble, and neutralize that edge. Hackett (.870 FT%), Williams (.778), and Hicks (.702) are all reliable from the stripe and can exploit an aggressive attacking style.

 

FINAL OUTLOOK

"SUNO can make a run — if they take care of the ball and crash every board."

Stillman enters this game as a legitimate favorite. Their superior record, lower turnover rate, and positive scoring margin reflect a program that has been consistent and disciplined all year. But tournament basketball rewards execution, and SUNO has the pieces — a do-it-all scorer in Hicks, a dominant interior force in Lawrence, and an unselfish offensive system built on movement — to pull a serious upset. If the Knights can cut their turnover margin in half and own the paint on both ends, this game will go down to the wire. Expect a physical contest with New Orleans pushing the tempo and Stillman looking to control possessions. One thing is certain: SUNO has nothing to lose and everything to gain.